Page 6 of Sizzling In the Mountains

“Umm,” I say as I reach out to touch her shoulder. I pull my hand back before I do. “It’s not so bad. Half of it didn’t burn.”

The ceiling caves in at the worst possible moment and she sobs even harder.

I want to go to her, I want to make everything okay, I want to wipe those tears from her shining hazel eyes and put a smile on her face, but I’m paralyzed as I stand here not knowing how to make any of that happen.

“It’s okay,” I whisper as I finally touch her shoulder.

She crumples into sobs.

Something in me snaps—some primal urge to take care of my girl—and I wrap my protective arms around her. She sinks into my chest and cries as I hold her tight, vowing to take care of this woman forever.

I let her cry for as long as she needs. I could hold her like this forever. I’m just enjoying having her in my arms.

She finally steps back and wipes her eyes under her glasses. She sniffs her adorable little nose and I hate that I have to take my hands off her.

“It’s going to be okay,” I whisper to her. “No one got hurt.”

“But all the books,” she says, her chin quivering as she looks at the smoking remains. “The beautiful building. Oh no! Charlotte’s Web!”

I know what she’s talking about. The library has a rare copy of the classic children’s book. Apparently, it’s a pretty big deal.

“It was behind glass,” I say in a soft soothing tone. “Maybe it’s fine.”

A tear slides down her cheek and my insides twist up as I watch it drip off her jaw. I hate that she’s sad. I want to see her beautiful face full of joy and happiness. Maybe seeing that the rare, signed copy of Charlotte’s Web is okay will make her tears stop.

“Doug!” I shout when I see him at the entrance. “What happened to the Charlotte’s Web?”

“I’ll go check,” he shouts back and then heads inside. He returns a minute later with the flawless book in his hand. He’s holding it over his head. “It didn’t get damaged.”

“See?” I say, smiling at her. “Some good news.”

A bit of hope shows on her face as she watches.

And then Doug, the moron, slips on the wet stone and drops the book into a puddle of water. “Oh shit,” he mutters as he picks it up. Water pours off it. The thing is ruined.

I just shake my head.

My girl just sobs.

CHAPTER THREE

Victoria

Ifeel horrible.

My stomach is in knots as I watch the firemen cleaning up my mess. I’m sick with guilt.

What am I supposed to tell Gabby? She’s been nothing but nice and supportive for giving me this job and I’ve ruined everything. I burned down a National Heritage Site. I destroyed a priceless piece of American literature. The shame is burning me alive.

The kids return on their bikes, staring at the wreckage in disbelief.

I march right over to them. “Give me your cigarettes.”

The tall one reaches into his pocket and hands me a crushed pack without hesitation. I open the pack, pull out the lighter and a cigarette, and spark it up. The kids watch as I inhale deep, sucking in the glorious smoke.

I’m a bad influence, but right now, I don’t care.

Something crashes in the building and I nearly start crying again. I can’t believe I did this. I just ruined the best thing in my life and one of the best things in this warm welcoming town that took me in as one of their own.

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